Diploma in Laycock Overdrive: Diagnosis and Rebuild
600-hour online postgraduate diploma in Laycock de Normanville overdrives: hydraulic circuit, electrical control, in-vehicle diagnosis, dismantling, rebuild and maintenance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Laycock Overdrive: Diagnosis and Rebuild — studying from New Zealand
Regulation, safety and reliability engineering is well established in New Zealand, underpinned by a strong regulatory framework for health and safety, transport, building and electrical equipment. WorkSafe New Zealand administers workplace health and safety law, while Standards New Zealand develops and publishes national standards. Professionals in this area support compliance, certification and risk assessment for manufacturers, infrastructure operators and public agencies.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$3,550 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies set the rules for safety and compliance engineering?
WorkSafe New Zealand regulates workplace health and safety, and the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi handles vehicle and transport compliance. Engineering New Zealand is the professional body, including the Chartered Professional Engineer pathway. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
Do New Zealand employers hire RAMS and safety engineers?
Yes. Reliability, availability, maintainability and safety roles exist across infrastructure, energy, transport, and manufacturing. Employers typically look for demonstrated competence against recognised standards and professional registration where relevant. A private qualification can support an application, but employers decide how much it counts.
Can I study this alongside work, and do I need a visa?
Yes to both parts. The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from New Zealand. You get an assigned technical tutor and complete a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Programme lengths range from 300 to 1,900 hours.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify the Laycock overdrive type (A, D, J or P) and its part numbers from the plate and the exploded view.
Explain how the epicyclic gear train, cone clutch and uni-directional roller clutch work together.
Measure and diagnose the hydraulic circuit with a coupled pressure gauge and locate pressure losses.
Check the electrical control circuit: switches, relay, inhibitor and solenoid.
Dismantle the unit with the correct tooling and produce an inspection report with measurements.
Rebuild and adjust the assembly to the specified torques, preloads and working pressure.
Integrate the unit into the vehicle and write a preventive maintenance plan for the owner.
Who it's for
- Mechanics at workshops specialising in classic British cars.
- Restorers who rebuild transmissions and need to document measurements and clearances.
- Manual transmission technicians who receive units fitted with overdrive.
- Advanced classic car owners who maintain their own vehicles to a technical standard.
- Technical officers of marque clubs and regularity events.
- Mechanical or automotive engineering graduates interested in period engineering.
What you'll work with
- Real Decreto 892/2013 (Spanish historic vehicle regulation)
- Directive 2014/45/EU (periodic roadworthiness testing of vehicles)
- FIVA Technical Code (originality criteria for historic vehicles)
- SAE J306 (viscosity classification of drive-line lubricants)
- API 1560 (service designations for drive-line lubricants (GL-4))
- ISO 6789 (hand torque tools)
- ISO 4406 (fluid cleanliness code by particles)
8 modules
1.1Epicyclic unit coupled to the gearbox1.2Types A, D, J and P by application1.3Reduction ratio and its effect on engine speed1.4Cone clutch and friction track1.5Brake bands and their adjustment1.6Uni-directional roller clutch1.7Split casing and joint faces1.8Output shaft, flange and sliding joint1.9Identification by plate and serial number1.10Exploded view and part numbering
2.1Cam-driven plunger pump2.2Working pressure and relief valve2.3Spring accumulator and preload2.4Solenoid valve and ball seat2.5Operating pistons and seals2.6Mesh filter and magnetic collector2.7Internal passages and pressure losses2.8Pressure measurement with a coupled gauge2.9Diagnosing pressure drop2.10Bleeding and commissioning the circuit
3.1Column switch and dashboard warning light3.2Gear-selected inhibitor switch3.3Operating relay and fuse protection3.4Solenoid continuity check3.5Coil resistance and rated current draw3.6Corroded earths and connectors3.7Reverse gear isolation switch3.8Wiring diagrams by vehicle manufacturer3.9Diagnosing intermittent engagement3.10Conversion to electronic control and precautions
4.1Will not engage: sequence of checks4.2Will not disengage and risk of lock-up4.3Slip under load and its causes4.4Bearing and gear noise4.5Leaks at seals and joint faces4.6Propeller shaft vibration4.7Road test with symptom logging4.8Oil analysis and metal particles4.9Checking lubricant level and type4.10Diagnostic sheet and intervention decision
5.1Removing the unit and separating it from the gearbox5.2Special tooling and spring compression5.3Precautions with accumulator springs5.4Marking the position of mated parts5.5Measuring clearances and end float5.6Wear of the cone clutch and track5.7Condition of brake bands and linings5.8Bearings, bushes and thrust washers5.9Planet gears, sun wheel and annulus5.10Inspection report with measurements
6.1Replacement gasket and seal kit6.2Regrinding or replacing the cone6.3Relining the brake bands6.4Adjusting spring preload6.5Tightening torques and assembly sequence6.6Calibrating valve clearance6.7Fitting the pump and checking delivery6.8Verifying final working pressure6.9Sealing and leak test6.10Initial running-in and check after the first miles
7.1Compatible lubricants and additives to avoid7.2Oil shared with the gearbox7.3Propeller shaft adaptation and length7.4Balancing and universal joint angles7.5Effect on fuel consumption and cruising speed7.6Compatibility with final drive ratios7.7Preventive maintenance plan7.8Critical spares and availability7.9Documentation handed to the owner7.10Correct-use instructions for the driver
8.1Selecting the unit and defining the scope8.2Documented initial diagnosis in the vehicle8.3Dismantling and dimensional inspection plan8.4Parts and labour estimate8.5Staged execution of the rebuild8.6Pressure checks and dynamic test8.7Writing the report with measurement tables8.8Review with the tutor and final adjustments8.9Technical defence of the decisions taken8.10Submission of the file and maintenance sheet
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Excel, PicoScope, FreeCAD, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real overdrive units with their measurement sheets, manufacturer wiring diagrams and road-test logs. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrated project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 600 hours over 6–9 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Excel, PicoScope and FreeCAD, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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